Metal Review: Abstracter – Tomb of Feathers (2012)

Hailing from Oakland, CA, Abstracter is a band that can be classified within many genres including atmospheric metal, sludge metal, doom metal, hardcore and post-metal. With their self-funded and self-produced release of Tomb of Feathers, they are trying to make their mark in the metal world. The recording of this album has an interesting story in itself. Tomb of Feathers was recorded live in three days (one track per day), directly to 22-track 2-inch analog tape mounted on 30-minute reels processed by a mid-80â€™s Akai tape recorder, by sound engineer Josh Garcia (DEPECHE MODE, MELVINS, DWARVES). The recordings were then passed on to Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios for mixing, and were then shipped to Philadelphia to be mastered by James Plotkin (ISIS, SUNN O))), OLD, KHANATE, etc.).

As far as the music itself, the band could fit into more genres of metal than there are number of tracks. Consisting of only 3 tracks, but spanning 40 minutes, Tomb of Feathers is sending a message and we should be listening. Each track is deep and impactful with layers upon layers of depth. The tracks are simple yet epic and do hearken back to old Bathory, who are cited among one of their major influences also including Amebix, Swans, Godflesh and Disembowelment.

You would think that the length of the tracks would deter someone from enjoying them fully, but with the tracks ranging from 11 minutes to 16+ minutes, they never feel like they are dragging nor are they repeating. As with a lot of atmospheric metal bands, there is a certain amount of repetitive riffs, but it is never overdone.

Of course, there are some riffs that stand out like the opening riff in To Vomit Crows. It has such a raw, but powerful impact to the song. This track feels a little longer, but in a good way. You simply do not want it to ever end.